Painting aviation art is not a new concept. Many people have for years obtained wonderful art pieces and photographs from well know artists and photographers. However, the collecting of limited edition aviation art prints is relatively new.

Aviation art prints have become a true industry due to the foresight of Virginia Bader. For years she has tried to interest people in this area of history and art. The now booming aviation art industry is the result of her pioneering efforts. I'm sure most aviation artists and collectors will want to thank her, so...

A very special THANK YOU to you... Virginia Bader

The aviation art industry has literally taken-off in the past decade, with numerous artists selling all manner of products depicting aircraft and aviation personnalities. Art dealers specializing in aviation art have a special niche in the art industry, requiring a level of technical knowledge of aircraft, aviation history and an appreciation for fine art. Few other areas of art require such an extensive technical background from the point of the sales person.

Aviation artists must also become mini-historians in order to create their art pieces. Interviews with pilots, ground crews, and relatives; visits to far away places, and to aircraft manufacturing facilities, are all a part of the process of creating an art piece. Many artists have their art work signed by the pilots, air crews and ground crews of the aircraft shown in the art piece. In some instances, deadly but older enemies meet to sit side-by-side while signing art prints.

Too many stories of these heroic deeds are now quickly going to the graves of so many WWII veterans. Thankfully some have come forward and told their stories, preserving for history, a small number of personal accounts of life in combat and the fight for freedom.

One thing that does not sit well with many aviation artists is the fact that many other general and nature artists who print limited edition prints, don't really print limited editions. As an example, a well known nature artist (R.B.) routinely prints 10,000 limited edition prints some times as high as 15,000 or 20,000. Many don't believe this is a true limited edition printing.

Most aviation artisits have printings of between 500 and 2,000. Surely these are truly limited editions.

Those interested in Aviation art can check out the Art Galleries and Dealer's Page.

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